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By Erika Owens·Updated April 13, 2015
There’s so much more to a flat iron than just two plates that heat up. They employ certain technologies and materials such as tourmaline versus ceramic, heat up to varying temperatures and come in different widths. For this article, I will focus on different consumer favorites at different price points and features to help you find your perfect fit.
Before using a flat iron, be sure to always use a heat protectant and if you go for a flat iron with adjustable heat levels try going with a lower heat setting so as to avoid damage.
Ceramic vs. Tourmaline
There are two mainstream flat iron technologies widely known to the community–ceramic and tourmaline. Flat irons with tourmaline plates are made up of real crystal that is ground up and applied to the surface of the flat iron plates. It helps to straighten the hair quicker because of it’s ability to produce a high volume of negative ions. As a result, it creates a silky, smoothened ironed out result.
So, what’s the difference? Ceramic flat irons heat up quickly, within seconds. This makes them ideal for reducing heat and cuticle damage. Ceramic plates are also known to distribute heat more evenly. Both, are great for straightening and are highly recommended, it’s just a matter of preference.
To read more about these two materials, check out our article Tourmaline Versus Ceramic.
” src=”https://d28mymtno8c5sd.cloudfront.net/Articles/650×400-remington-s9520.png” alt=”remington flat iron” width=”650″ height=”400″ />Remington T. Studio Wide Plate Straightener with Tourmaline,
Heats up quickly
Has wide plates which is great for thicker hair
Digital temperature reader
HSI Professional 1 Ceramic Tourmaline
Comes with argan oil
Swivel cord
Long-lasting results
Hai Ceramic Flat Iron
Heats up in 30 seconds or less
InStyle magazine’s “Best Beauty Buy”
Current top seller in the flat iron market
FHI Heat Technique G3 Original Tourmaline Ceramic
“Creates sleek style in one to two passes this” according to InStyle Magazine
Tourmaline plates
Long-lasting
Rusk Professional STR8 Iron infused with CTC Technology
Great for all hair types
Makes hair silky and soft
Heats up fast
Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium-plated straightening Iron
- Price: $129.99
- Available at Ulta and Bed Bath & Beyond
Temperature adjustment up to 450 degrees
Nano titanium plates
Glides, doesn’t pull.
Ultra lightweight
Remington Frizz Therapy Iron
Heats up quickly
Easily straightens curls
Great value for the price
Conair The Power of Pink Ceramic Straightener
Portion of the sales go the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Power straightener in small package (1 inch”>
Promotes shiny hair
The key to finding the right flat iron is knowing what your hair needs. Is it generally easy to flat iron your hair, or is it difficult? If you find it difficult or time-consuming, you may need a higher end flat iron that heats up high so that you can more easily flat iron your hair.
In the end, each of these flat irons has their strengths and their weaknesses. Once you determine exactly what you are looking for in your hair tool, then you can seek those flat irons out specifically without worrying about being overwhelmed by the features of every single other flat iron on the market.
